Just as every person has both light and dark inside them, choosing which path to follow, Isaac, too, should be judged solely on the choices he's made in life and the path he's decided to follow. I hated the looks on people’s faces and the whispers from them when they knew what he was. I wanted to break the never-ending circle of prejudice against his kind.

I chose him as the Second-in-Command, my Guard, for his knowledge and abilities, and most importantly, because more than anyone else in this world, I trust him.

But with the testimony given and the indication that the Interitus are Necromancers or Black Mages, Isaac now becomes something dark and tainted in their minds. Something suspicious and to be feared.

I walk toward Isaac, tired of the fearful and anxious looks he’s being given, and stand beside him, anger boiling inside me with the smug look the vile asshat has over his face.

I grit my teeth and clench my hands at my side, trying to stop them from knocking that twisted grin off his face, when suddenly a hand grips mine from the side. A large rough hand encases mine in his, its slight warmth spreading into me from the small contact. Jace.

He gives me a light squeeze, pulling my attention toward him. He flashes me a warm smile before narrowing his eyes at the man before us. A small rumbling comes from his chest as he stares the man down.

The man scoffs before opening his mouth again. When suddenly, his eyes widen in horror as his mouth closes shut, his lips pinched tightly together.

Mirin steps in front of me, a light shimmer leaving her fingers.

“I think we’ve listened to enough of your bullshit. It's grating on my tired ears.” She gives him a bored look before narrowing her eyes.

“A beast like you should learn when to stop barking unless you want to get put down.” Her eyes darken as she smiles saccharinely at the man as if the words that just left her mouth weren’t a dark threat.

A chuckle escapes my lips. Leave it to my fiery witch to literally seal his mouth shut.

Isaac turns to me, a knowing glint in his eye and a small tilt to his lips.

The lanky asshat shakes his head, making loud throaty noises, his eyes still wide as he scrapes at his mouth, trying to open his lips.

I give Mirin a slight nod, and she huffs before flicking her wrist, the glimmer forming around her petite hand.

The frantic man gasps as his lips open, a loud wail leaving them as they finally part. The sound is high-pitched and almost like a child’s screech. Looking around him, he quickly adjusts himself. He looks up, fixing his hair as he places a weaker scowl on his face.

“Seems like you’re the only useless one here,” I sneer. Turning toward the group of silenced people, I compose myself before talking.